My life as a mom with 5 young children is beautifully imperfect

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I have this certain group of awesome ladies that let me hang out with them sometimes. They are really great for many reasons, but my favorite is that they make up all sorts of excuses to throw a party. Seriously, we will sit around together, dreaming up new reasons for a party. Our pinterest profiles are always at the ready on our phones and tablets for our next board. Only the best get to make the board first though, you have to be really quick with this group. Maybe you have a group of friends like this, and maybe you don’t. If you don’t, you can join ours, just give us a reason, just a little bits enough, to throw you your initiation party. We will make it simple, I promise.

The truth is we love to throw parties, make beautiful things, and make people happy. It’s our thing. We are more creative together than apart and that makes it so much more fun. At least for me. So I wanted to share with you our latest…The Sprinkle.

Like this:

This season has been rough on me. It always is. So I’ve been quiet here, just trying to make it to the other side of this holiday season without a total meltdown. Can you relate?

But I’ve missed writing, and honestly I have so much to share I can’t wait for January to get back in a groove of writing. But for now, I have a moment of quiet so I wanted to reflect on this past year. I started my blog in the spring so it hasn’t even been a year, but it has been therapeutic and fun.

I finally completed the cushions for our banquette seating around the kitchen table. I had the bench built-in right after we moved here a year and a half ago. It only took me this long to do my part!

No sewing. Water proof. Washable. These were my non negotiable’s on the project. ANYONE can do this. If you have a window seat and want to make a cushion for it, this is the way to go.

What you will need:

– Measurements (width and depth)
– Thin boards (I used 1/4 inch thick boards and had the store cut them to my sizes)
– Foam from a craft store. I purchased 3″ thick, but they come in 1″, 2″ and so on…
– Fabric: I wanted mine to be waterproof since we have small kids and this is at our table. I purchased a vinyl fabric to go underneath and then a cotton pattern to go on the top. My top fabric was a light upholstery grade fabric. It could be used for curtains or other type project.
– Staple gun
– Fabric tape, or duck tape.
– Measuring tape
– Scissors
– Sharp serrated kitchen knife

STEP 1

First I cut the foam to the sizes of my boards. I used a serrated kitchen knife which worked well. The store used an electric knife like our mothers used when they carved our thanksgiving turkeys but I don’t have one of those antiques. I have to say it did make the cleanest cut, but my kitchen knives worked ok too.

STEP 2

Next I attached the vinyl fabric around the foam and to the boards with a staple gun. See the picture for how I did the corners. they came out very nice a square looking when finished.

STEP 3

Finally I attached the fabric with tape to the bottom of the boards. I used tape instead of staples so I could pull it off and wash it without ruining it.

We get compliments (an inordinate amount of compliments) every year on our Christmas card pictures. I’m pretty sure it’s not because of my stellar photography skills. They aren’t stellar. I think it’s that people just want to applaud the feat of getting us all in the frame, looking at the camera at the same time, with a “decent” look on our faces. And they are right, it isn’t easy.

So before we attempt to take this year’s picture I thought I would show you what it does take to get a family of 7 in one shot, looking at the camera, and hopefully, with at least a pleasant look on our faces. I’ll settle for no one with a pained look on their face, including me…no, especially me.

Here are a few of my favs…enjoy.

There’s always one.

Despite the terror going on around her, one curtsies while soaking up her moment on stage.

Often one will just bust out in song. Just what everyone needs…Let it go, let’s go… I can’t take it anymore. Let it go, let’s go… or I’m going to slam the door. Here…I…sit…with my smiling face…will the fun go on…cameras never bothered me anyway.

All h$%^& has broken loose. Grandma’s trying to pretend she is still enjoying the grandkids. Grandpa is looking for a way out and the kids are well….done.

A week or so ago I talked about being intentional with my holidays and eliminating some of the stress they bring.

So for Thanksgiving I punted. We went to a friend’s home and celebrated with them. For nearly 20 years these friends of ours have feasted with family and friends that need a place to celebrate. It’s always large. It’s always fun. The traditions are deep. But the cast is always different. And the stories…oh the stories we have heard of the fun. Roll-throwing contests. Burnt casseroles. Movies. Piano playing. Singing. Relaxing.

There is no formal invitation that goes out. Just a “hey you are always welcome to join us” kind of thing. But this year we accepted. We were excited and honored at the idea.

And all I had to do was bring some green beans!

It was everything we had heard about and plenty more. The table was beautiful and yet practical. There were 19 people there sitting at one very long table that was pieced together from three tables. We used paper plates and napkins but real silverware – a lesson learned over the years I understand. I took notes.

The food was plentiful and fantastic. Each of us brought a special dish to share. We loaded our plates up the first time and went back for more as many times as our stomachs would allow. We laughed, we relaxed.

We shared what we were thankful for in an “anything goes” sort of way. Some were funny, some sweet. All were honest. Everyone participated including a few who couldn’t be there this year and phoned them in. As they were read we had to guess who’s it was.

While it was a total vacation for me it reminded me how very blessed we are to have such good, generous and loving friends. I know that day was a lot of work and preparation for them. I know because I have lived it. But this year, because of their generosity and goodness, I didn’t have to. I got to relax. For years through this tradition they have nourished many, many people. Their bodies, spirits and souls.

And I am very thankful for what they gave me this holiday season. Rest.

One way I wanted to be intentional about Christmas this year was through our Advent calendar. I want to help my children be others-focused instead of me-focused during this very self-centered, consumeristic season. In the past I have filled my Advent calendar with little gifts, or treats each day. Oddly, this didn’t get the results I was hoping for – instead it perpetuated the me-focus.

So this year I will fill the Advent calendar with kind deeds for us to do each day and promises we receive because Jesus came to earth as a baby and grew up to die for our sins.

The list of kind deeds are fun and silly and all the stuff kids love, but instead of focusing them on what they are going to get, they focus us on giving to others. Click Here: Advent Kind Deed List for a list of more-than-you-will-need ideas. Pick a few you like and add them to your Advent calendar this year!

Here is a list of Promises God gives to those who believe in Jesus. I hope these help us focus on the gifts Jesus brought to each and every one of us through His birth and life here on Earth.